Bottom dump charging bucket



Sept. 19, 1961 J. CATANIA BOTTOM DUMP CHARGING BUCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 7, 1958 @R Mm. mm 4V cw. m M a a a Q Y B a, w 1 6 llllvll im 1| M,

Sept. 19, 1961 J. CATANIA 3,000,661

BOTTOM DUMP CHARGING BUCKET Filed April 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6105594 Cam/m7,

INVENTOR.

3,600,661 BGTTQM DiJh il ACHARGING BUCKET Joseph Catania, 3139 N. Fenirnore Ave, Qovina, Qalif. Filed Apr. 7, 1958, tier. No. 726,731 4 Qlainis. or. 294mm This invention relates to a charging bucket of the bottom dump type, and more particularly to a bottom dump type charging bucket having an improved means for releasably securing the apparatus in a closed position and for operating the apparatus from a closed to an open position.

The use of sector type construction for bottom-dump type charging buckets is well known to the art. That is, the charging bucket is provided with a plurality of pivoted circular-sector plates which form a bottom surface of the bucket when they are pivoted to the horizontal position. The devices of the prior art which are used to secure the sectors in the closed position have various disadvantages in that they must be operated from beneath the bucket or in the vicinity of the bucket. For example, it is a common practice in the prior art to utilize a chain or cable to fasten the sectors in the closed position'with various means used for releasing the chain or cable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bottom-dump charging bucket of the sector type having improved means for holding .the bottom sectors in the closed position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved bottom-dump charging bucket of the sector type having an improved means for releasing the apparatus from a closed to an open position to discharge the contents of the bucket.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a charging bucket in which the discharging operation can be actuated from a position remote from the bucket.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a charging bucket of the sector type having an improved means for closing the bottom plates and releasably securing them in the closed position.

The present invention is a bottom-dump bucket comprising a bucket section which includes a bucket cylinder and an external cylindrical sleeve. The bucket cylinder is open at both ends and has a plurality of sector plates pivotally mounted around the lower periphery thereof which may be pivoted to form a closed bottom surface of the bucket. The cylindrical sleeve surrounds the bucket cylinder and is vertically movable with respect thereto from a lower to an upper position. Co-acting lever means are provided between the sleeve and the bucket cylinder whereby the sector plates are maintained in the closed position when the sleeve is in the lower position and conversely to allow the sectors to open when the sleeve is moved to the upper position. An open-closed control mechanism is removably attached to the bucket section proximate the upper end thereof and includes a movable locking means which maintains the sleeve in the lower position while the bucket is to remain closed. Means are provided in association with the open-close control mechanism whereby the locking means is actuated to allow the sleeve to return to the upper position at which the bottom of the bucket is opened and the contents discharged.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood,

however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illus tration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a presently preferred embodiment of the charging bucket showing the bucket in an operating closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic View showing the bucket in the loaded position;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 in which the bucket is being hoisted;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the bucket in the dumping position;

FIGURE 5 is a partially sectional view in elevation of the bucket maintained in the closed position;

FIGURE 6 is a partial view corresponding to FIGURE 5 showing the bucket in the open position;

FIGURE 7 is a partial view in section taken along line 77 of FIGURE 5 showing the open-close control mechanism;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom view taken along line 88 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the sector plate assembly in an exploded position;

FIGURE 10 is a view taken along line Ill-1t} of FIGURE 5 showing the mating engagement of adjacent sector plates; and

FIGURE 11 is a partial view of components of the open-close control mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1, 5, 6, 8 and 9, a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bucket section of the apparatus includes a rigid metallic bucket cylinder 15 which has an open upper end for receiving the material to be loaded and contained in the bucket. The lower end of the bucket cylinder 15 is also open with a plurality of sector plates 16 pivotally mounted about the lower end of the cylinder to form the dumping bottom thereof. The sector plates are circular sectors suiiicient in number and arcuate extent to form a complete circular surface which acts as the bottom of the bucket. That is, in the embodiment shown twelve sector plates 16, each of which includes an angle of 30 is used. Thus, in the closed position of the apparatus as shown in FIGURE 2 the sector plates form a closed circular area forming the bottom of the bucket section when the sectors 16 are in the plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the bucket cylinder 15. As shown in FEGURE 10 the mating edges 17 of adjacent sectors 16 are preferably overlapped to insure a closed bottom for the bucket in order that finer materials cannot escape between the sectors. Each sector 16 is pivotally mounted upon the bucket cylinder 15 by means of an integral bushing section 18. The bushing is positioned at an inner radius substantially equal to but greater than the outer radius of the bucket section 15 and substantially tangential thereto.

The bushing defines an opening parallel to the tangent ofthe sector through which a hinge pin 19 is passed (as shown particularly in FIGURE 9). The hinge pins 19 are in turn mounted in bearings defined by a plurality of bosses 20- which are substantially equally spaced about the periphery of the bucket cylinder proximate the lower end thereof as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

A lever arm 21 is integrally aflixed to each sector 16 extending radially outward from the bushing 18 of the sector. The lever arm 21 is at an angle to the plane of the sector plate to allow coaction with a vertically moving actuating arm 23 of the sleeve 25 as described hereinafter. The cylindrical sleeve 25 is positioned surrounding the bucket cylinder and has an inside diameter substantially equal to but greater than the outside diameter of the bucket cylinder such that it is vertically movable with respect to the bucket cylinder. The sleeve 25 is of sufficient length to extend from the upper end of the bucket cylinder to a position just above the bosses 29 on the bucket cylinder. A pair of diametrically opposed slots 26 are provided in the sleeve through which carrying pins 24, afiixed to the bucket cylinder extend. The 'slots are of sufi'icient length to allow the necessary relative movement of the sleeve 25 and bucket cylinder 15. A plurality of radially extending actuating arms 23 are circumferentially spaced about the periphery of the sleeve proximate the lower end thereof and are downwardly extending. The actuating arms are equal in number to the sector plates and are circumferentially spaced such that they coincide with the position of the lever arms 21. The actuating arms each define an actuating surface '27 which is in bearing contact with a bearing surface 18 of the lever arm 21 of the respective sector plate throughout the relative movement of the sleeve 25 with respect to the bucket cylinder 15. That is, the sleeve 25 is movable from the downward position as shown in FIGURE to the upward position as shown in FIGURE 6. At these positions and at all intermediate positions the actuating arm and lever arm are in bearing contact. As shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 the actuating arms are formed such that the downwardly extending bearing surface 27 is "beyond the radius of the bushing 18 of the sector plate.

Accordingly, it may be seen that the bearing face 28 of the lever arm is positioned out of the plane of the sector plate at an angle suitable to provide the bearing contact. It may be seen further that when the sleeve 25 is moved to the downward position the actuating arm 23 pivots the lever arm 21 downward and raises the sector plates to the horizontal position. Thus, if the sleeve is locked in the downward position the sector plates are locked in the horizontal plane to furnish the bottom surface for the bucket cylinder. The extent of relative movement necessary between the sleeve 25 and bucket cylinder must be suificient to allow the lever arm to pivot through 90. The lever arm 21 is positioned at an angle of approximately 45 with the plane of the sector plate in this embodiment, however, the optimum angle of thelever arm and the extent of movement for any given application may be readily determined by one skilled in the art. It will be further apparent in view of the foregoing that the radius of the lever arms and actuating arms can be increased to increase the leverage about the lever fulcnim at the hinge pins 19 for various applications.

Reinforcing ribs 29 are provided at the bottom surface of each sector plate extending downwardly to the end of the lever arms. The reinforcing ribs have an edge surface substantially parallel to the sector plates. Thus, the charging bucket can be lowered to the floor or ground surface and will rest evenly on the ribs without exerting a pivoting force on the lever arms.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES '5 and 7, the open-close control portion 33* of the charging bucket in accordance with this invention includes a frame 31 which is provided with downwardly extending arms 32 which terminate in latches or hooks 33 which are detachably secured to the carrying pins 24 of the bucket cylinder. The length of the downwardly extending arms 32 is such that the lower surface 35 of the frame 31 spans the top of the bucket cylinder 15 at a distance above the upper end of the bucket which is substantially equal to but greater than the distance of vertical travel through which the sleeve travels with respect to the bucket cylinder 15. That is, the distance between the surface of the frame 31 and the upper end of the bucket cylinder 15 is substantially equal to the extent of relative movement necessary between the sleeve 25 and bucket cylinder 15 to allow the lever arm 21 to pivot through 90". Carrying means such as the cable 34 is affixed to the frame 31 near the upper section of the frame. As shown particularly in FIGURE 7 the frame includes spaced parallel plates 36 and 37 which define an opening therebetween 4 a in which the stop plate 40 is vertically movable. That is, the plates 36 and 37 are spaced apart by a third plate 41 which is generally H shaped in configuration to define the downwardly extending arms 32 and the upwardly extending cable afiixing points 42. while defining the opening 38 between the plates 36 and 37. The opening 33 is of a width approximately equal to the diameter of the sleeve 25. The stop plate 40 is a metallic plate having a width and thickness substantially equal to the width and thickness of the opening 38 and is vertically movable within the opening 38 through a distance at least equal to the distance between the upper edge of the sleeve 25 and the stop surface 35 of the frame as shown in FIG- URE 5. In order to facilitate vertical movement of the stop plate 40' within the opening 38 roller bearings 45 may be mounted within the frame member 31 to provide rolling contact for the stop plate. A pair of downwardly facing horizontal shoulders 45 are provided in the frame member extending outwardly from the opening 38. A pair of mateable shoulders 47 are in turn provided proximate the lower edge 48 of the stop plate which are mateable with the shoulders 46 to limit the extent of upward travel of the stop plate within the opening 38. The position of the shoulders 46 is such that the stop member may travel upward at least to the position at which the lower edge .48 thereof is above the lower surface .35 of the frame membcr 31in order that the stop plate is completely within the .opening 38. Similarly, a pair of downwardly'facing opposed shoulders 49 are formed on the stop member 40 proximate the upper edge thereof which are 'mateable with shoulders formed in the separating plate 41 to limit the downward movement of the stop plate to retain it the frame 31. An indentation 5.0 is provided in the stop plate extending upwardly from the lower edge thereof and substantially symmetrically about the vertical axis of the stop plate 40.

As shown particularly in FIGURES 7 and 11 a stop member 42 is mateable with the indentation 50. The stop member 42 is a plate substantially equal in thickness to the stop plate 40 and is of lesser height than the indentation 59 such that it is relatively vertically movable therein throughout a predetermined distance. An upwardly extending .stop member .arm as is aflixed to the stop member and has .a width and thickness less than that of the .stop member. The width and thickness of the arm 43 are substantially equal to the width and depth of a vertical groove in the stop plate 40 such that the arm is mateable with the groove and vertically movable therein. The stop member arm 43 extends upwardly through the opening 38 above the stop plate 40 and is aflixed or connected to a solenoid plunger 70 described hereinafter.

Openings 52 are provided through the plate 37 of the frame 31 as shown in FIGURES 5 and 7. The openings '52 have a lower edge which is substantially coincident with the upper edge 53 of the stop plate 40 when it is in the lower position shown in FIGURE 5. A hinged plate 54 is pivotally mounted on the outer surface of the frame plate 37 beneath the openings 52 and extends to each side of the vertical center line of the frame member .31. A pair of fingers 55 are formed substantially perpendicular to the hinged plate 54 at the upper surface thereof such that they are mateable with the openings 52 through the plate 37 when the hinged plate 54 is against the surface of the plate .37. The length of the fingers 55 is approximately equal to the thickness of the plate 37 and the thickness of the opening 3$such that the fingers extend through the openings 52 and across the opening 38 when they are in the closed position as shown in FIG- URE 7. The fingers are spaced apart by a sufficient distance to allow passage of the stop member arm 43 between them. Spring loading means 58 are provided to urge the hinged plate 54 toward the surface of the plate 37 and thus to urge the fingers 55 into the openings 52. Thus, it may be seen that the fingers 55 are so located that they will block the upward passage of the stop plate 40 in the opening :38 and will maintain the stop plate in the lower position, as shown in FIGURE 5, so long as they are maintained within the opening 38. Means are provided for outward movement of the fingers 55 under the upward force of the stop plate. In this embodiment the upper edge 53 of the stop plate is rounded and the lower surface of the fingers 55 is preferably beveled such that if the stop plate is urged upwardly it will force the fingers 55 out of the opening 38 against the action of the spring means 58. The hinged plate 54 is provided with an upwardly extending center portion 59 which extends upward beyond the fingers 55 substantially along the center line of the frame member 31. An-indentation 60 extends from the upper surface of the frame member 31 to a depth proximate the upper end of the vertically extending portion 59 of the hinged plate 54. The indentation 60 is substantially greater in width than the section 59 of the hinged plate and extends substantially equidistant from the center line of the frame member 31. A retaining clip 61 is provided within the indentation 60 and is of substantially U-shaped configuration. The retaining clip 61 is afiixed to the stop member arm 43 and has a width shown in FIGURE 7 which is substantially equal to the width of the frame member and the upwardly extending portion of the hinge member 54. The retaining clip extends downwardly a sufiicient distance to overlap the upwardly extending portion 59 of the hinge plate 54 when the retaining clip is in the downward position as shown in FIGURE 7 at which it rests upon the lower surface 63 of the indentation 6% The solenoid acts as an actuating means to retract the solenoid plunger 70 and raise the stop member arm 43 and the retaining clip upward from the position at which the clip overlaps the hinged plate 54, to an upward position, as shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 7, at which the retaining clip is free of the hinged plate and the hinged plate is free to be forced outward against the action of the spring means 58. Suitable circuitry is provided for the solenoid such that when the solenoid is energized the plunger 70 is moved upward. It may be seen that other actuating means may be used to furnish this upward movement such as hydraulic lifting means of the type well known to the art or a suitable mechanical linkage.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1 through 7 the operation of the apparatus in accordance with this invention may be seen. At FIGURE 2 there is shown schematically the bucket in a loaded position at which the sector plates 16 are all closed. The loaded bucket is resting upon a floor surface and the sleeve is in the downward position with the actuating arms 23 being in contact with the lever arms 21 of the closed sector plates. Thus, as described hereinbefore, the sleeve 25 is in the position as shown in FIGURE 5 at which its downward movement with respect to the bucket cylinder 15 is complete. The open-close control mechanism is shown nearing the location of the bucket at which the hooks 33 can engage the lifting pins 24 of the bucket. Appropriate circuitry is shown schematically with a switch 90 being in the closed position to actuate the solenoid and retain the stop plate 40 in the upper position. The open-close control mechanism is thus swung into position by the cables 35 and aflixed to the pins 24 after which the solenoid is deactuated by opening the switch 90 as shown in FIGURE 3. The stop plate then drops to the lower-most position, as shown in FIG- URE 5, at which the stop surface 48 is in contact with the upper edge of the sleeve 25. Since the stop plate is in the lower position the spring means 58 forces the hinged plate 54 inward such that the fingers 55 enter the opening 52 through the frame plate 37 and extend above the upper edge 53 of the stop plate 40. Since the solenoid is deactuated the retaining clip 61 is also in the downward position at which it overlaps the upwardly extending portion 59 of the hinge plate 54. The locking fingers 55 are thus locked into the inward position at which they block the upward path of the stop plate 40 and the open-close control apparatus is thus located in '6 the closed position. Since the stop plate 40 cannot move upwardly the sleeve 25 is also looked at the downward position which in turn locks the sector plates 16 in the closed position.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, after the charging bucket has been moved to the location at which it is desired to empty the contents therefrom the switch is again closed to actuate the solenoid 70. Actuation of the solenoid 65 then raises the retaining clip 61 and the hinge plate 54 is free to move outwardly. Since there is considerable weight on the sector plates they are pivoted downwardly causing the lever arms 21 to pivot upwardly and move the sleeve 25 upwardly. The stop plate 40 having a rounded upper edge 53 causes the fingers 55 to move outwardly against the action of the spring 58. In the presently preferred embodiment a slight bevel is provided on the lower surface of the fingers 55 in order to facilitate this outward movement of the hinge plate 54 in response to an upward force by the upper edge 53 of the stop plate 40 when the retaining clip 61 is removed from the overlapping position by actuation of the solenoid. In addition, the solenoid when actuated raises the stop member 42 which in turn exerts an upward force on the stop plate 40 to retain it in the upward position and allow the sector plates to remain fully open.

Thus, it may be seen that discharge of the charging bucket in accordance with this invention may be easily accomplished by remote control by remote actuation of the solenoid. It may also be seen that during transport of materials in the charging bucket the sector plates are pivotally maintained in the closed position due to the locked condition of the stop plate 40 bearing againstthe upper edge of the sleeve 25.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved bottom dump charging bucket having improved means for closing the sector plates forming the bottom thereof and for holding the bottom sectors in the closed position. Improved means are also provided for releasing the apparatus from a close to an open position and both opening and closing operations of the charging bucket are operable from a remote position.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement described in the presently preferred embodiment and that changes and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A bottom dump bucket apparatus comprising: a cylindrical bucket having open upper and lower ends, a plurality of sector plates, said sector plates forming a closed bottom surface of said bucket when positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of said bucket, each of said sector plates being pivotally mounted around the periphery of said bucket at the bottom thereof for pivotal movement to open and close said bucket; a lever arm affixed to each of said sector plates, said lever arm extending radially beyond the outside diameter of the bucket; a cylindrical sleeve surrounding said bucket and longitudinally movable from a downward to an upward position with respect thereto, a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending actuating arms affixed to said sleeve in bearing contact with said plurality of lever arms whereby downward movement of the actuating arms causes pivotal movement of the sector plates from the open to the closed position; diametrically opposed carrying pins aflixed to and extending outwardly from the exterior of said bucket, said carrying pins extending through longitudinal openings in said sleeve; an open close control section including a frame with depending arms detachably affixed to said carrying pins, a stop plate mounted within said frame and vertically movable with respect thereto from an upper to a lower position, said stop plate at said lower position being in bearing contact with the upper and end of said sleeve to maintain said sleeve in the downward position with respect to said bucket locking means mounted upon assess;

J' ,1 said frame and .operatively connected to said'stop plate ior retaining .said stop plate in said lower position and means .for releasing said locking means to release said stop plate from said lower position, whereby said sleeve is free to move upward to open said bucket. V

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said frame defines a vertically disposed channel, said stop plate mounted in said channel and vertically movable from a lower to an upper position therein, said stop plate at said lower position in said channel being in bearing contact with the upper end of said sleeve at the downward position of said sleeve, means afiixed to said frame for locking said stop :plate in said lower position, and remote controlled releasing means coupled to said locking means for releasing said locking means whereby said stop plate and said sleeve are movable upward with respect to said bucket to allow opening of said sector plates.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the locking means includes a hinged plate pivotally aifixed to an outer sur- 8 face of said'frame, said hinge plate having a finger extending through said frame across said channel proximate the upper surface of said stop plate in the lower position, spring means urging said finger into said channel, latch means holding said finger in said channel, and actuating means coupled to said latch for releasing said latch to allow said stop plate to force said finger out of said channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said actuating means is a remotely, controlled solenoid mounted upon said frame for releasing said latch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Switzer June 20, 1939 

